About

Ashley Smith-Nuñez, M.D.

Latina and first-generation college student (she/her/hers)

B.A., University of Washington '12
M.D., University of Washington '18
Residency-Internal Medicine, University of Chicago '21
Current Chief Resident, future Pulm/Crit fellow

Han Yu Stephanie Liou, M.D.

First-generation American with Taiwanese roots (she/her/hers)

B.S., Stanford University '13
M.D., University of Washington '18
Residency-Pediatrics, University of Chicago '21
Primary care pediatrician, National Health Service Corps Scholar

Our team

We are currently based in Chicago but have lived, studied, and worked across the United States and internationally. Based on our own personal experiences, involvement in research at top-tier institutions, leadership roles with major professional associations, as well as knowledge and skills gained from mentoring and speaking to hundreds of students/trainees, we have expertise in:

Scholarships and other methods for financing undergraduate and medical education
Strategies for managing student loan debt and credit card debt (practical and emotional!)
Navigating the competitive admissions process for students/trainees from first generation, underrepresented, and/or low-SES backgrounds
Strategies for institutions to improve recruitment and retention/support of students/trainees from first generation, underrepresented, and/or low-SES backgrounds
Personal finance education for physicians including budgeting, saving, and investing, with a special focus on the unique challenges faced by residents/fellows. We are NOT certified financial advisors and do not provide recommendations on individual investments.

Our values

Mentorship: We are the role models we didn’t have, building the community that we deserved.
Diversity and Equity: You cannot increase diversity and equity in medicine without increasing access.
Financial Literacy: Financial literacy is an essential part of medical education.
Combating Stigma: Caring about money does not make you a less compassionate doctor.